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The BVA/KC Health Schemes
The Kennel Club (KC) and the British Veterinary Association (BVA) currently operate health schemes for hip
dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and inherited eye diseases.
The schemes have been developed over more than 30 years, and aim to provide scientifically based expert
opinion on these inherited conditions.
The KC/BVA screening programmes help
conscientious breeders to identify those dogs that
are clinically free of such diseases so that the best
possible choices for breeding programmes may be
made.
· The BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme
· The BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
· The BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
Hip scoring and elbow grading is done only once for
each dog, at a minimum age of one year, while eye
examinations should, in general, be conducted
annually.
Dogs are certified either affected or unaffected for
the eye conditions that are known to be inherited in that breed at the time of examination. Re-examination
is important as some inherited eye conditions have a later onset.
All results are recorded on the Kennel Club database and published in the Kennel Club Breed Records
Supplement and on progeny registration certificates. There are in excess of 30,000 results produced under
the schemes each year.
WHAT IS HIP DYSPLASIA?
Hip dysplasia (HD) is a term which encompasses a number of specific
developmental and other abnormalities involving the hip joint.
Very simply the Hip is a ball and socket joint, and it should fit neatly and
cleanly together.
In a Dysplastic Dog - Developmental changes come first and being related
mainly to growth are known as primary changes. Others come later; these
are related to wear and tear from usage and are termed secondary
changes. The end result is that one or a pair of joints becomes
mechanically unsound and therefore does not function properly. An
unsound joint is usually a painful one and lameness will result. In extreme
cases the dog may find movement very difficult and pain will be involved.
What is the BVA/KC Hip Score Scheme?
The current BVA/KC scoring scheme for hip dysplasia (HD) has been in operation since 1984 and since then
over 100,000 X-rays have been assessed.
Dysplasia means abnormal development, and the degree of hip dysplasia present is indicated by a score
assigned to each hip. The hip score is the sum of the points awarded for each of nine aspects of the X-rays
of both hip joints. The minimum hip score is 0 and the maximum is 106 (53 for each hip).
The lower the score the less the degree of hip
dysplasia present.
An average (or mean) score is calculated for all
breeds scored under the scheme and advice for
breeders is to use only breeding stock with scores
well below the breed mean score. The minimum age
for hip scoring is one year, and each dog is only ever
scored once under the scheme. The breed average
for GSD's is a total 20, therefore you would not
expect to bred from anything with a score higher
than that.
Hip Dysplasia can be a crippling disease, and is
known to have a heredity factor, and therefore by
breeding from only the dogs with lower Hip Scores,
we can reduce the risks significantly for our future
progeny. Other factors such as growth rate, diet,
type and level of exercise may influence the severity
of the disease
However it must be noted that HD must not be
confused with CDRM, which is a completely separate condition.
WHAT IS ELBOW DYSPLASIA?
ED simply describes the abnormal development of the elbow.
The term includes a number of specific abnormalities, which affect different sites in the joint.
They cause problems by affecting the growth of the cartilage which forms the surface of the joint, or the
structures around it. These abnormalities, called primary lesions, then start a secondary osteoarthritic
process.
The most common primary lesions are:
· Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD or OD)
· Fragmented or ununited coronoid process (FCP)
· Ununited anconeal process (UAP)
What are the Causes of DYSPLASIA?
Dysplasia is a multi factorial disease, which means that a number of factors can influence the occurrence of
the condition. The most important factor, however, is the genetic make-up of the dog.
Other factors such as growth rate, diet and level of exercise may influence the severity of the disease in an
individual dog, but they cannot prevent the disease or reduce the potential of the dog to pass the disease
on to offspring. However, studies show that ED has a high heritability confirming that a high proportion of
the cause of the disease is genetic.
What is the BVA/KC Elbow Scheme?
The current BVA/KC scoring scheme for elbow dysplasia (ED)
was launched in 1998. X-rays are taken and sent to BVA.
Dysplasia (as above) means abnormal development, and the
degree of elbow dysplasia present is indicated by a grade
assigned to each elbow on a scale of 0 to 3 (0 being the best
and 3 being the most severe). The grading system is simple.
Grade Description 0 Normal - 1 Mild ED - 2 Moderate ED or
a primary lesion - 3 Severe ED
Only the highest grade of the two elbows is taken as the
elbow grade for that dog.
The minimum age for elbow grading is one year, and each
dog is only ever graded once under the scheme.
Advice to breeders is wherever possible to use only those
dogs with grades of 0 or 1 for breeding.
Which breeds are screened under the Scheme?
Any breed may be screened under the scheme, but there are a number of breeds which have been shown
to have a higher incidence of elbow dysplasia. These breeds include: Basset Hounds, Bernese Mountain
Dogs, English Mastiffs, German Shepherd Dogs, Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, Labrador
Retrievers, Newfoundlands and Rottweilers.
How do I get my dog graded under either of the Schemes?
Owners should make an appointment with a specialist vet who can take the required X-rays of the dog's
hips and elbows. The vet then sends the X-rays to the British Veterinary Association where they are
examined and "graded" by a panel of experts. Once the X-rays have been graded, the result is returned to
the vet, who relates it to the owner, and a copy is sent to the Kennel Club for recording on the registration
database and publication in the KC Breed Records Supplement.
What is Haemophilia A?
Haemophilia ‘A’ is a bleeding disorder. Clinically, it is
exactly the same in the GSD as it is in humans.
Therefore, in August 1991 in the U.K. , the GSD
Breed Council of Great Britain set up it’s own
Haemophilia ‘A’ screening programme. It was largely
due to the furore at that time surrounding a male
GSD which had been imported from Germany and
was a popular stud. Unfortunately he had sired
around 80 litters of puppies before it was discovered
that he was a Haemophiliac!
Since that time, it has become the norm amongst
reputable GSD breeders to ensure any male they use
at stud has been tested and proven clear of the
disease.
The test is performed on a small blood sample collected by your vet.
Want to see more:
SARA GRAY
MEGAMAX GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS
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